Dynamic block 3D, lost constraints and dimensional parameters in some cases

[hakunamatataHA5JH]

Hi Everyone
I have created dynamic block 3D, contained standard blocks inside (please see attachment and custom properties of my block). Everything works fine into drawing, where i created this block, but:

1) If I attach drawing with my dynamic block, as xref, to master drawing, and then, into master drawing I edit this xref (using "edit xref in-place" command), all constraints and dimensional parameters in my dynamic block, which are connected to standard blocks, are lost.

2) If I copy (ctrl+c -> ctrl+v) my dynamic block to another drawing, in many cases everything works fine, but sometimes result is similar as in point 1, and additionally "dimensional constraint parameters" connected to standard blocks, are changed by Autocad in "user parameters".

3) If I open my dynamic block in block editor (in drawing when i created this dynamic block) and save it, every constraints and dimensional parameters stays, but block doesn't work. I have to insert it again, and then everything works fine...

I will be gratefull for any advice.

Regards

[j.palmeL29YX]

If you mix Dynamic Parameters and Actions (Length Parameter and Stretch Action) with Geometric and/or Dimensional Constraints you will in most cases run into trouble and will get unexpected results. You should avoid to use both method simultaneously  in a block definition. Besides, both methods are designed for 2D only (the mesh is not really supported for both). 

I did not yet find a way to achieve what you want to expect.

[hakunamatataHA5JH]

Hi  j.palmeL29YX
Thank You for Your reply!

- "If you mix Dynamic Parameters and Actions (Length Parameter and Stretch Action) with Geometric and/or Dimensional Constraints you will in most cases run into trouble and will get unexpected results"
This is one of my first dynamic block, so I didn't know it. Thanks for hint.
But by the way, if autocad allows me put all of this parameters together, and they work fine together on one drawing - what is the reason of this troubles after copy to another drawing or by edit this drawing as xref?

-"both methods are designed for 2D only"
I agree. I tried to cheat autocad a little bit, using blocks with auxiliary lines, to have all driven geometry on one plane.

-"the mesh is not really supported for both"
Ok, but paradoxically there were no problems with the mesh stretching in any case. I use mesh, because I wanted to achieve solid stretching effect and it was only way I found.

-"I did not yet find a way to achieve what you want to expect"
Thank You in advice for trying and effort.

One more. Using blocks allowed me not only to drive 3D geometry, but also counting amount of supports ("data extraction" command takes into account visibility states). It would be great if we find some trick, to be able to drive standard blocks inside a dynamic block.

Regards

[j.palmeL29YX]

I don't know all your circumstances and needed functionality, but perhaps you can use a simple insert of the block? (I don't understand what you are trying to do with the "edit-in place" anyway.) If I insert the block "Transition slide ..."  in any drawing all seems to work fine - you can drag/change the length, the visibility states work well and the flip action too (Not intensively tested). Even it this is for me an "unexpected result" (I'd expect that it fails) - as long as it works as you want ... 😉 . 

I can not offer any other suggestion.

[hakunamatataHA5JH]

- "I don't understand what you are trying to do with the "edit-in place" anyway"

Our master drawings consist of many xrefs. When i work around sepatarely xref drawing, i have to attach other xrefs temporarily, to have reference geometry, and detach them at the finish. When I edit this xref from master drawing level, i don't need to do it (because in master drawing all necessary xrefs are already attached). Adittionaly, some of my colleagues may not know, that "edit xref in-place" command spoil some blocks, and he may accidentaly save it spoiled. I would like to avoid that situation.

-"If I insert the block [...] all seems to work fine [...]"

Edit xref in-place command (and rerely but also copy to another drawing) delete/erase all constraints and dimensional parameters, which are conected to auxiliary red lines of standard blocks. So stretching, visibility states and mirror may still works, but shifting supports via custom properties and setting mid-support in the middle of lenght of transition slide, breaks down.

Thank You once again for trying

Regards